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Infusion Times & Temps
Quick Reference
When infusing cannabis into oils or fats, temperature and time matter. The most desirable compounds can be vaporized or destroyed by too much heat. THC begins to evaporate at 355°F and CBD at 392°F — so keep infusion temperatures well below those thresholds.
⚠️ Rule of thumb for cooking & baking with cannabis: 340°F max for recipes requiring 1 hour or less. 325°F max for recipes requiring more than 1 hour.
Infusion Chart
| Medium |
Temperature |
Time |
| Vegetable Glycerin | 120°F | 3½ hours |
| EVOO / Olive Oil | 165°F | 2 hours |
| Grapeseed Oil | 165°F | 2½ hours |
| MCT Oil | 165°F | 2½ hours |
| Sesame Oil | 165°F | 2 hours |
| Avocado Oil | 175°F | 2 hours |
| Coconut Oil | 130–175°F | 30 min – 2 hours |
| Peanut Oil | 175°F | 2 hours |
| Butter | 210–212°F* | 2 hours |
Notes
- All infusions require decarboxylated cannabis as the starting material.
- Try to keep your temperature as constant as possible during infusion. A probe thermometer helps.
- A double-boiler or slow cooker on low makes maintaining temperature easier than direct heat.
- *Butter note: The 210–212°F temperature is for a water-bath / double-boiler method where the water regulates the heat. In an infusion machine with direct temperature control, use 160–175°F instead — butter burns easily without the water buffer.
- Higher-fat oils (coconut, butter) bind cannabinoids more effectively but require higher temps.
- Coconut oil has a wide effective range: lower temps (130–150°F) preserve more terpenes, higher temps (175°F) extract more efficiently. See the infused oil recipe for detailed instructions.
- Vegetable glycerin is alcohol-free and sugar-free — good for tincture alternatives.
Choosing Your Oil
- Coconut oil — Most popular. High saturated fat = strong cannabinoid binding. Solid at room temp, easy to dose by the spoonful. See the infused oil recipe.
- Olive oil — Stays liquid, great for cooking. Mild flavor pairs with savory dishes.
- MCT oil — Stays liquid, flavorless, fast-absorbing. Popular for tincture-style dropper bottles.
- Butter — Classic for baking (brownies, cookies). Higher temp needed. See coconut oil ↔ butter conversion.
- Avocado oil — High smoke point, good for recipes that need some heat after infusion.